Briefly, just to mention that the new "CONFORMATION: BASIC SKILLS" workbook has already proven to be very popular -- so much so that we are about to run out of our first print-run. Lots of them went home with folks at the Pomona Horse Expo earlier this month, and I anticipate also having them available at Cal Expo in June. You can also read the wonderful reviews that some of our regular Forum folks have generously sent in (below)! We're thrilled at hearing your approval, for certain!

Bottom line....if you want one and haven't ordered yet, please consider ordering now before we have to tell you that we're temporarily out of stock (i.e. while we're waiting for the second print run to get finished).

Description of the book:

I've taken considerable thought in designing this, because I felt that whatever we produced, it needed to be compatible with, and build upon, my old "Principles of Conformation Analysis" -- a book which remains a valuable resource and which is still in print.

Hence a WORKBOOK -- something like the lab manual that went with your bio textbook. Except a lot nicer!

The purpose of this Workbook is to take you through all the steps in learning how to find palpation points; to master the palpation of structures in the limbs and on the surface of the body; to learn how tooth eruption and malocclusions of the teeth may affect your horse; the parts of the hoof and their functions; parts of the horse skeleton and their role in creating the appearance we see on the outside; and how to mark, measure, and analyze a photo of your horse or one that you're considering for purchase. There's a section on foal growth and predicting adult height, and even one on how to take a good analytical photo.

To help you learn the terminology, I have included an anatomical dictionary and glossary of terms, and of course the volume is also thoroughly indexed for easy reference.

The stars of the show in this Workbook are the big, clearly-labeled illustrations. I have included 26 plates, most of which are fully page-size, i.e. 8.5 X 11", again like a lab manual. Along with the plates go "horsemanship homework" exercises. The idea is for you to photocopy the particular plate and then mark it or otherwise work with it as the homework exercise suggests. Other homework exercises have you learning to palpate on your own horse, practicing taking photos in the analytical style, or taking a field trip to your local museum of natural history.

After you've done homework, there are also eight "visual quizzes" which you can take as "open-book tests" until you feel confident, and then test yourself again to see if you can do them entirely from memory.

The Workbook is 8.5 X 11" format (same size as a standard U.S. sheet of paper, a little shorter vertically than European A5). The Workbook is 103 pages long, B/W throughout. It is printed on durable paper and is spiral-bound with a good wire spiral that won't tear the pages. Spiral binding allows you to easily flop it open to whatever page you're working with. It has a durable cover which will stand up to trips to the stable, so that you can have the book with you as you & friends work with your horses.

After January 15th, the selling price for "HOW HORSES WORK -- WORKBOOK No. 1 -- CONFORMATION BASIC SKILLS" will be $49.50 per copy.

Online: We can accept payment through PayPal only. You may pay from a linked/approved credit card, from a PayPal account, or from a linked bank account. Go to PayPal and then click on "send money". Click on "goods and services". Then direct your payment to the following EMail address:

Please note that this is the ONLY EMail address to which payment may be made. Funds directed to office@equinestudies.org will bounce.

HOW TO ORDER IF THE WORKBOOK IS TO BE SENT TO ANY COUNTRY OUTSIDE THE U.S.A.:

Unfortunately postage costs are very high; please add $15USD to the $49.50 sale price for a total of $64.50USD.

NOTICE TO NEW ZEALANDERS: WE NOW HAVE A NZ DISTRIBUTOR! If you live in NZ please contact Jenny Paterson by EMailing horsemanshipnz@xtra.co.nz -- this will save you most of the postage surcharge and probably make for quicker delivery!

WE ARE LOOKING FOR DISTRIBUTORS IN CANADA, AUSTRALIA, AND EUROPE....contact us if you're interested by writing office@equinestudies.org.

Thanks again to everyone who reads here for your interest and enthusiasm.

The new conformation book came today, and it's a pleasure -- fresh and inviting and easy to learn from, with super-clear illustrations. Tons on conformation, how to palpate, measure, understand your horse's individual body, his feet, his balance, etc, etc. It calls itself a workbook,, with spiral binding and great quality sturdy pages that'll be easy to use in the field; and really also it'll be a great reference volume to have for always. Thank you for creating this, Dr.Deb.

My book came today and it is absolutely wonderful! It's even better than I imagined it would be. I can't wait to start working through it!
Dr Deb thank you so much for putting all the time and work into putting this workbook together! It really is excellent.
Thanks again,
Adrienne

Mine came yesterday as well, and I agree, it's beautifully laid out, with logical progression of learning, and nice clear plates and explanations.The sources of some of the old terms like gaskin and stifle are very interesting; it hadn't occurred to me to research where they came from. Also, I'd never heard the term 'rein' used to describe a conformation point - the length from back of wither to point of breast. Thanks, Dr. Deb and ESI staff. A very valuable and beautiful learning tool.